A significant new discovery has illuminated the deep historical roots of Telangana. A previously unknown painted rock shelter, found near the Nayana guhalu on the banks of the Manair river in the Adavisomanpalle forest of Peddapalli district, has officially pushed the state's count of documented prehistoric art sites beyond the milestone of one hundred.
A Hidden Treasure in the Forest
Perched at an altitude of 836 metres and concealed within dense woodland, the shelter was first identified by YouTuber Adlakonda Rajesh. The site was later subjected to detailed examination by history enthusiast Cholleti Srinivas from the Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam group. The discovery was subsequently reviewed by rock art expert Bandi Muralidhar Reddy and Brundam convenor Sriramoju Haragopal.
Their analysis revealed a compact hilltop shelter vibrant with motifs spanning multiple eras: mesolithic, neolithic, megalithic, and historic periods. This layering indicates the site was used for artistic and possibly ritual purposes over many centuries.
Vivid Imagery and Ancient Clues
The rock panel is a colorful tapestry painted in red, white, black, and yellow ochre. It features a fascinating array of imagery, including:
- Human handprints and figures in seated and standing postures.
- Animals such as deer, bulls, and elephants.
- Abstract designs like honeycomb shapes, trident symbols, circles, and diamond grid patterns.
- Ornamental motifs resembling necklaces.
- A notable anthropomorphic figure holding a bow.
Many paintings are superimposed, showing artistic activity across different epochs. Researchers also noted traces of a red Brahmi inscription, suggesting the site remained significant into the historic period. Crucially, the field team discovered microliths and pigment stones around the shelter, providing tangible evidence of the long cultural continuum at the location.
Connections and Calls for Conservation
Several motifs at this new site show strong stylistic similarities to those found at other renowned Telangana rock art locations like Ontigundu, Sitammaloddi, Gundlapochampally, and Ratnapur. This discovery further enriches a cultural landscape where major clusters of sites are already known in districts like Siddipet, Warangal, Medak, Mahabubnagar, and Khammam.
With discoveries accelerating, the Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam has urged the government to implement stronger protection measures. These fragile sites are irreplaceable windows into prehistoric heritage and require active safeguarding from natural and human-induced threats.
The field documentation was led by Ch Srinivas along with team members Adlakonda Rajesh, Sampath, and Narayana. As Haragopal stated, "Rock art sites are now crossing a hundred in Telangana. This discovery near the Nayana guhalu further strengthens the cultural landscape of the region."
